Summary
Utah is experiencing a large measles outbreak with over 600 cases, mostly among unvaccinated people. The outbreak began last year and has spread across many states, affecting mainly children and leading to hospitalizations.
Key Facts
- Utah has reported 602 measles cases, with 405 occurring this year and 75 in the last three weeks.
- About 85% of infected people were not vaccinated against measles.
- One-third of patients had severe symptoms requiring emergency room visits.
- 49 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.
- The outbreak started in Texas more than a year ago and is now in most US states.
- Utah has about 90% vaccination coverage but needs about 95% to stop measles spread.
- A bill to make skipping school vaccinations easier was introduced but did not pass.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary and vaccine critic, has called measles vaccination a personal choice and promoted unproven treatments.
